Power Kite Forum - Bigfoot tire pressures

Bigfoot tire pressures

rtz - 9-12-2016 at 05:30 PM

Those who run or have run bigfoots or bigfoot lites; what tire pressure did you settle at? What were your experiences with various pressures?

I started off at 8psi and it was like riding using basketballs as tires. Very bouncy. I'm down to 4 psi now. A different type of bouncy. Like flat tire bouncy.

Might try 3 then 2...

shehatesmyhobbies - 9-12-2016 at 08:27 PM

I have used anywhere between 3-10, surface being a factor. On beach racers, the air pressure game is even more difficult to figure out. Weight, riding surface, and riding style are all factors that will differentiate for each individual in my opinion.

bigkid - 9-12-2016 at 09:53 PM

No more than 2 bars, max. Out in the sun, they will blow off the wheel and kill. In the cold, not a problem.
Bouncy? What were you exspecting? Different surfaces different air pressure. Welcome to the world of big tires.

Chook - 9-12-2016 at 11:10 PM

2psi on the rear with 8" wide rims and 3psi on the front with 4" rim.
All my kiting is on the soft beach or dunes with these pressures.

rtz - 10-12-2016 at 04:37 AM

Quote: Originally posted by bigkid

Bouncy? What were you expecting?

I was expecting a cush, Cadillac like ride. Being big tires and low pressures especially after years of riding on barrows.

bigkid - 10-12-2016 at 06:37 AM

Quote: Originally posted by rtz

Quote: Originally posted by bigkid

Bouncy? What were you expecting?

I was expecting a cush, Cadillac like ride. Being big tires and low pressures especially after years of riding on barrows.

Then you need to get some 8x8 sysmic wheels and some 21x12-8 grooved beach racers. Or a Cadillac.
Bigger wheels and tires only allow you to buggy on softer material. It's kinda like getting a 4x4 truck, your 2x4 truck was fine as it was, only difference with the 4x4 is now your farther in trouble before you get stuck. :lol:

bigkid - 10-12-2016 at 07:02 AM

If your looking for a better ride, tires are not the answer, so to say.
I have tried cadcat wheels, sysmic wheels, PL wheels, duro tires, Nanco tires, beach racers(grooved and smooth), motorcycle, moped and bicycle style setups, and others I have forgotten about, and they really don't give the Cadillac ride as much as a suspension setup does.
I have owned dozens of buggies and a few with rear and front suspensions.
This is my personal opinion after comparing them all to each other.
Rear suspension bugs are ok until you are powered up from the side, they tend to "role" in the direction of the kite. Making an OBE that much easier, nothing like having the bug role over and dump you out.
I currently have a front suspension on my Libre and I wouldn't get rid of it for a real Cadillac. It removes the railroad feel you get at ivanpah, the fatigued on your feet on long rides is reduced to near zero. Low tire pressure and front suspension is to die for. Front suspension on a barrow wheeled buggy is 1000% better than just Bigfoots of any type.

rtz - 10-12-2016 at 09:23 AM

I may well have to build up a suspension fork then.

BeamerBob - 10-12-2016 at 09:37 AM

Quote: Originally posted by bigkid

No more than 2 bars, max. Out in the sun, they will blow off the wheel and kill. In the cold, not a problem.
Bouncy? What were you exspecting? Different surfaces different air pressure. Welcome to the world of big tires.

If you approach 2 bars with a BFL you've made a bomb. That 2 bar limitation is for the 2.5" wide plastic rims. The tire says max pressure is 5 psi. I liked running about 8. Now I have grooved Duros on 8" rims. Seems like I run 10-12 in those.

Also a warning if you have to travel over a high elevation from where you aired your tires up, the tires can expand significantly as the elevation increases.

John Holgate - 10-12-2016 at 03:09 PM

I've generally run 8psi in my Kenda beach racers. Good for the soft stuff and provide a better ride in my bumpy paddock but they're vague and wobble at speed. One of the guys I flew with at Kingston said he put 30psi in his Kendas to give a smooth ride at speed...can't say I'm brave enough to stick that much pressure in a bigfoot. Best tires I've ever used on the hard sand were Joel's 17" sysmic rims and 2 1/2" motorcycle tires (can't remember which brand). They were smooth as silk and way faster than the bigfoots. Overall, I'm pretty disappointed with the Kendas. If and when I ever replace them, I might give the Midi XL's a whirl instead.

Chook - 10-12-2016 at 05:21 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Chook

2psi on the rear with 8" wide rims and 3psi on the front with 4" rim.
All my kiting is on the soft beach or dunes with these pressures.

Should have read the thread more carefully.

These pressures are with Sysmic rims and grooved Beach Racers. Sorry bout that.

slapbasswoody - 12-12-2016 at 01:45 PM

As said before, it all depends on the surface and how much of the tire profile you want to roll on the surface.
The least amount of rubber equals higher pressure and visa versa.
But be aware your plastic rims are only rated to 2 bar.

If you want comfort then I would suggest a different sport ha ha ha or an open top Cadillac.

Blitzhound - 12-12-2016 at 10:42 PM

I'm running 9psi with grooved duros on 8" wheels. It seems to be the ideal pressure for where I ride on soft to medium packed sand. I have not had a chance to run them balls out on hard pack yet. So I can't comment there. But on my local beach I've set a PB of 41mph. Smooth ride no wobble. But...I weigh 300# and my MG Croozer is a TANK! Although I think if I had front suspension on it. That would be as close to a Cadillac as you could get. Granted I might be a little biased. I love that buggy. We go together like Peas and Carrots!

bigkid - 13-12-2016 at 07:06 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Blitzhound

I'm running 9psi with grooved duros on 8" wheels. It seems to be the ideal pressure for where I ride on soft to medium packed sand. I have not had a chance to run them balls out on hard pack yet. So I can't comment there. But on my local beach I've set a PB of 41mph. Smooth ride no wobble. But...I weigh 300# and my MG Croozer is a TANK! Although I think if I had front suspension on it. That would be as close to a Cadillac as you could get. Granted I might be a little biased. I love that buggy. We go together like Peas and Carrots!

Peas and carrots? :lol:

To add to your post blitz, your right about the MG. Great buggy you thief.....
The buggy makes a huge difference in the ride, a full size to an entry level.
If you had the same setup(tire, wheel, air pressure,etc)on a full size and an entry level you would have 2 entirely different rides and 2 entirely different outcomes. Air pressure is only 1 variable in a world of possibilities.
If you add a slice of banana to your pb&j it's no longer a pb&j. If the peanut butter is chunky or creamy it's a different sandwich. It's an icky sandwich if you add anything to the pb&j. White or wheat? Crust or no crust. Way too much to think of this early in the morning, think a pb&j for lunch will hit the spot. :thumbup:

Blitzhound - 14-12-2016 at 01:02 AM

I know Jeff...I'm really sorry I had to steal the MG away from you! Wait a sec... no I'm not. She's in a loving home. She gets out to the beach often. You're right though. Toooooo much thought. OVER Engineering. I personally am in it for the fun, the pleasure, the joy of the ride. If I was a professional buggy racer I might care more. But the fact of the matter is as long as I can ride I'm happy. 5,8,12psi? I DON'T CARE! I just want to ride. I will agree that the buggy can make all the difference. The MG on BF's vs. Vmax on Barrows or even Midi's. Two different worlds. But I'm able to do things in the MG I could never do in the Vmax. As far as tire pressure goes. I'd say start with the manufacturers ratings and adjust from there.

bigkid - 14-12-2016 at 06:05 AM

Blitz, if you plan on improving on your PB you will find you'll have to increase the air pressure to reduce tire drag. Of course it only counts if you have a second person with you at the time to witness the event. I would be happy to be the second person, 19 looks a lot like 61. :lol: